The attainment of maturity in male Penaeus indicus

Abstract

Four criteria, namely, the formation of the petasma, the development of visible spermatophoric masses, the extrusability of the spermatophores and mating in confinement, were used to evaluate sexual maturity in male Penaeus indicus. It was concluded that the extrusability of the spermatophores provided a reliable indication of maturity. These results suggest the attainment of maturity at 22-30 mm carapace length with the majority being mature at 25 mm carapace length.